Tumble Cycle

Every morning of everyday, I wake up at about 8, and eat the same breakfast I've eaten for the last 6 years. Peanut butter on whole grain toast, a banana, washed down by a good amount of orange juice. I prefer smoothies, but hostel kitchens don't have blenders. Can't win 'em all..

Start work by 9. I take all the dirty sheets and blankets from everyone checking out that day, separate them, and bring them to my "office" out back. That's the hardest part of my day.

I usually pass the time by reading "The Beach" while I wait for the laundry to finish so I can fold the dry shit, throw the wet shit in the dryer, and the dirty shit in the wash. But today, I didn't bother bringing my book.

You'd be surprised how peaceful it is to stare into the window of the side-load industrial washing machine. I get a lot of good thinking done just staring at the predictable motions of my 500kg stainless-steel friend.

This job definitely keeps me modest, though. One story comes to mind.

As I was winding down my second semester of senior year at Iowa, two of my good friends Mike and Marty, who I got to know pretty well from having all the same finance classes together, joined me in ditching Principals of Risk Management lecture and instead indulging on $2.50 steins of Guinness (don't worry ma, I got an A in the class anyways.)

They shared their post-graduation plans, both of which involved starting their careers in the financial industry. Keep in mind Mike was born in Iowa City, went to grade school in Iowa City, went to high school in Iowa City, went to college in Iowa City, and then got a job and is working in Iowa City.

It came as a shock to them when I told them about what waited on my horizon. A memorable quote Mike said to me was, "So you just studied for 4 years to get your degree, just so you can carry golf bags this summer?" I tried explaining it was just a means to an end, but was abrubtly shrugged off.

After a good laugh, I confirmed my plans to save up cash the best way I knew possible, and to head overseas for a "self-taught post graduate degree in life."

So not only did I carry golf bags, but now I'm following orders from an inbred 25 year old with no more than a 6th-grade education, all while getting my hands dirty separating backbackers raunchy ass sheets.

It gives you perspective. And a free nights stay in a really expensive country (even Londonites have mentioned how expensive it is).

I have red/blue parrots singing above me, the ocean a 5-minute walk away, a surfboard that I use everyday, and a rainforest with "heaps" of koalas about 10 minutes away.

Glad I'm not in Iowa City.